Sailmaker’s workshop
Our passion is sailing and this is a good reason to follow closely and make these textile wings last, as they take us to the end of the world. Multiplying the miles at sea obviously wears out the fabrics and the fittings of the sail, but you can do a lot of prevention and repairs yourself.
Acquiring the techniques of the master sailmaker is the guarantee of autonomy in case of tear but it is also to have a craft knowledge very pleasant to implement.
DAY 1 - 9 AM - 12.30 AM
Welcome of the participants / Coffee
Module 1 - Discovery of sails and materials.
Types of materials that constitute the sails. (Materials, manufacturers)
The choice of fabrics, cut and equipment for the long cruise.
How to evaluate the wear and tear of a sail? Diagnosis before purchase or before preparation for departure?
The details of manufacturing and assembly of a quality sail.
11 AM - 12.15 AM
Introduce the master sailmaker's tools
Safety gestures to avoid injury
Practical work 1
Cut a spreader reinforcement with a cutter.
Install correctly an anti-scraping protection.
To strap a slider
2 PM - 4.15 PM
Practical work 2
Making a dog ear
Sew a leach line blocker
Repairing a clew with straps
4.15 PM - 5.15 PM
Choice of breeze sails
Type of rigging and adaptation to the needs of long distance sailing
Specificity of catamarans without the possibility of a drop stay.
Storm bags: feedback from use
Swedish mainsail. How to install it?
Staggering the reefing bands.
Installation of a removable stay. Safety, comfort and performance.
Technical specifications: Assembly, load transfer, storage chainplates, turnbuckles or hoists.
Made to measure deck bags for breeze sails
DAY 2
8.45 AM - 9 AM
Choice of downwind and light air sails.
Code 0, 1, 2 etc, gennaker, parasailor, sort out all the existing sails and their use
Choice and use of socks for downwind sails
Choice and use of flat drum furlers
10 AM - 12.15 AM
Practical work
Locking a slat gusset
Repair of a slat gusset with insertion of an internal reinforcement strap
Repairing a bolt rope tear with a strip of straight wire
LUNCH BREAK
2 PM - 3.30 PM
The basics of rigging control.
Explain the checklist of verification
Protecting and lubricating
Rigging adjustment.
Link between good rigging adjustments, efficiency and durability of sails
Sail trimming
Barber hauler, short sheet, cunningham
3.30 PM - 3.45 PM
Repair a tear in the middle of a fabric panel. Understand the mechanical stress of the fabric.
Repairing a tear on a spinnaker.
3.55 PM - 5 PM
Preparing your sailmaker's kit
Choosing a sewing machine for the trip
Sails and rigging checklist at your stopover
